What steps can you take to ensure you're supporting diverse EDM artists? What opportunities are gatekept from BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, women, and gender-expansive artists? How can you, as part of the music scene, engage in conversations around these topics effectively? This episode is guided by two experts in diversifying electronic music. Lauren HERMIXALOT Spalding and Lauren "Mini Bear" Kop give their advice on how to be an activist in the music industry.
In this episode, we cover:
- Inclusivity in the EDM industry
- Ways to diversify your lineup to be representative and inclusive of the roots of house music
- How to engage in conversations around representation and diversity
- How to ensure your event is a safe space for everyone
FEMME House creates opportunities for women, gender-expansive, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ creatives in the technical and behind the scenes areas of music. They are developing the future producers, mixers, engineers, DJs, artists, and executives of the industry by providing education and scholarships, cultivating community, furthering visual representation, and leveraging their platform to amplify the voices of marginalized communities. Lauren HERMIXALOT Spalding serves as their Co-Founder and Executive Director and Lauren "Mini Bear" Kop as their Chief Education Officer.
Follow FEMME House: https://www.instagram.com/thisisfemmehouse/
Want me to interview a specific artist? Let me know in the comments.
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00:00 Intro to FEMME House
02:19 Gender Imbalance in House Music
07:40 Roots of House Music
08:31 Mainstream EDM Demographics
11:10 Diversifying Festival Lineups
13:12 Education to Better the Industry
14:43 Incentives to Book Diverse Artists
19:13 Engaging in Inclusivity Conversations
24:32 Helping EDM Businesses Do Better
27:33 Staff Training to Ensure Safe Spaces
29:15 How to Be a Strong Ally
30:56 Impact of FEMME House
35:40 Finding New Music at Festivals
